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3 STAATSKOERANT, 13 JULIE 2010 NO.33377
GOVERNMENT NOTICE
This notice supersedes Government Notice No. 597 published in Government Gazette No. 33363 of 9 July 2010:
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
No. 617 13 July 2010
POLICIES AND POLICY DIRECTIONS DRAFTED IN TERMS OF SECTION 3(1) OF THE ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS ACT. 2005
(ACT NO. 36 OF 2005)
I, Gen (Ret) Siphiwe Nyanda Minister of the Department of Communications, in
terms of section 3(1) of the Electronic Communications Act, 2005 (Act No. 36 of
2005), hereby publish the National Broadband Policy, contained in the schedule
attached hereto.
GEN (RET) SIPHIWE NY ANDA, MP MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS
4 No.33377 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 13 JULY 2010
doc Department: Communications REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
BROADBAND POLICY
FOR
SOUTH AFRICA
5 STA.ATSKOERANT, 13 JULIE 2010 No.33377
Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 4
1.1 Context.. . .. ..... ... . .. .. . . .. ... . ..... ...................................... . ...................................... 4
1.2 Legislative frame\i'Jork ......................................................................................... 6
1.3 Definition of broadband for South Africa ............................................................... 6
1.4 Vision ................................................................................................................ 7
2 BROADBAND POLICY OBJECTiVE ......................................................................... 7
2.1 Building the information sOciety ........................................................................... 7
2.2 Increasing affordability ....................................................................................... 8
2.3 Increasing uptake and usage ............................................................................... 8
3 BENEFITS OF BROADBAND.................................................................................. 9
3.1 Economic development and growth ..................................................................... 1 0
3.1.1 Stimulating growth of SMME's and cooperatives ...................................................10
3.1.2 I ncreasing employment ...................................................................................... 1 0
3.1.3 Reducing the cost of communication ...................................................................10
3.1.4 I mproving marketability and encouraging investment ...........................................11
3.2 Social benefits ...................................................................................................11
3.2.1 Improved quality of education.............................................................................11
3.2.2 Improved quality of health services .....................................................................11
3.2.3 Improved quality of government services .............................................................12
3.2.4 Reduced carbon emissions ..................................................................................12
4 KEY PRIORITY AREAS ........................................................................................12
4.1 Access ............... , .............................................................................................. 12
4.1.1 Universal access to broadband ............................................................................13
4.1.2 Access for needy persons ...................................................................................13
4.1.3 Access for legal personae ...................................................................................13
4.1.4 Spectrum for broadband .....................................................................................13
6 No. 33377 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. 13 JULY 2010
4.2 Affordability......................................................................................................14
4.2.1 Creating an enabling environment for broadband growth ......................................14
4.2.2 Electronic communications network services (ECNS) - infrastructure based
competition .......................................................................................................14
4.2.3 Electronic communications services (ECS) - services based competition ................. 14
4.2.4 Physical infrastructure sharing ............................................................................14
4.3 Usage ...............................................................................................................15
4.3.1 Uptake and usage ..............................................................................................15
4.3.2 Security ............................................................................................................15
4.3.3 Awareness ........................................................................................................15
5 ROLE CLARIFICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION ...................................................16
5.1 Roles ................................................................................................................16
5.1.1 National Government .........................................................................................16
5.1.2 Provincial Government .......................................................................................17
5.1.3 Local Government ..............................................................................................17
5.1.4 State owned enterprises .....................................................................................18
5.1.5 Private sector........................................ ............... ........................... . ............... 18
5.2 Implementation .................................................................................................18
5.2.1 Broadband Inter-Governmental Implementation Committee ..................................18
5.2.2 Monitoring and evaluation ..................................................................................19
6 CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................20
7 DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS ...........................................................................21
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7 STAATSKOERAI\IT, 13 JULIE 2010 1\10. 33377
1 I NTRODUCT ION
1.1 Context
1.1.1 In 2007, the South African Government approved the building of an information
society. This decision was based on the outcome of the United Nations World Summit
on the Information Society. This summit resolved that Information and
Communication Technology (lCT) infrastructure is the foundation to the development
of an information society. (World Summit on Information Society (WSIS) Action Line
C2, Information and Communications Infrastructure is an essential foundation for the
Information Society.) The development of a Broadband Policy is in line with world
trends and is critical for South Africa to ensure realisation of the goal of an all
inclusive information society that can enjoy the economic benefits associated with
Broadband in both urban and rural areas.
1.1.2 Broadband platforms promote the convergence of voice, data and audio visual
services onto a single network. Broadband infrastructure is central in achieving the
goal of digital inclusion, enabling universal, sustainable, ubiquitous and affordable
access to ICTs by all. and providing sustainable connectivity and access to remote
and marginalized areas at nationaL provincial and municipal levels.
1.1.3 The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) states in their
December 2008 Broadband statistics report that the average penetration rate, in
OECD member states, for Broadband is 22.4%. South Africa had just over 1 million
Broadband connections which translates into a penetration rate of 2% of individuals.
South Africa is clearly well below the average penetration rate with regards to
Broadband. The International Telecommunication Union (lTU) further confirms that
South Africa has a Broadband penetration rate of 2% and just over a million
Broadband connections.
1.1.4 From these statistics it is clear that Broadband penetration in South Africa is low. This
situation can be ascribed to the unavailability of electronic communications
infrastructure and the high cost of Broadband services, stifling growth of the
information society.
1.1 .5 The lack of affordable universal access to Broadband services, slows economic
growth and inhibits social benefits such as better education and health services.
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B No.33377 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 13 JULY 2010
It is acknowledged that both the private and public sector has played a significant
role in the current provision of Broadband infrastructure. However this is not
sufficient and as such requires direct policy intervention and strategic investment.
Disadvantages associated with the lack of access to affordable Broadband services
include:
• Reduced access to e-literacy in the educational system
• Lack of access to quality of health services
• Lower efficiency in Government processes
• South Africa becomes a less competitive destination for investment
• Higher cost to communicate
• An increase in the digital divide, thus further disadvantaging rural and
marginalised communities
• Reduced access to employment opportunities andjob creation
1.1 .6 The funding of Broadband services in the South African context is both fragmented
and uncoordinated. At a national level all national departments have budgets that are
allocated to ICT roll-out, however these are not spent appropriately and in a
coordinated fashion. Further provincial and local Government competencies are not
duty bound to coordinate ICT programmes and policies for national benefit and
homogeneity. This policy therefore proposes to create a uniform, integrated,
homogeneous and coordinated Government approach on the roll-out of Broadband in
South Africa, thus ensuring both optimal utilisation of resources and coordinated roll
out of infrastructure.
1.1.7 This Policy focuses on increasing the accessibility, availability, affordability and usage
of Broadband services throughout South Africa.
1.1.8 Broadband services ("always available, high speed multimedia capable network
services") have been identified globally as a powerful transformative force. Affordable
access to these networks has become a key priority for governments internationally.
Broadband empowers individuals, communities and businesses through access to the
"Information Superhighway" which provides access to local and international
electronic content. Broadband provides businesses with an extremely powerful tool
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9 STAATSKOERANT, 13 JULIE 2010 No.33377
that can increase productivity and marketability through the use of communication
services.
1.1.9 This policy acknowledges the achievement of the private and public sector in
establishing the Broadband infrastructure as it exists today. However this
infrastructure is mainly confined to urban areas and is limited in affordability and
accessibility. The policy also acknowledges that Broadband and ICT initiatives are
already underway in the three spheres of Government.
The policy aims to:
• define Broadband for South Africa;
• articulate the Government's commitment to providing appropriate support for
digital inclusion. thus building the information society; and
• clarify the roles of the Government, State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and the
private sector in developing world-class Broadband infrastructure in the country.
1.2 Legislative framework
1.2.1 Broadband development is governed within the following legislative framework:
• the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) 36 of (2005). which provides the legal
framework for the convergence of communication technologies in South Africa;
• the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) Act 13 of
(2000) as amended, which enables the effective and independent regulation of
the ICT sector in South Africa;
• the Inter-Governmental Relations Framework (fGRF) Act (2005). which sets the
framework for the interaction and relationship between the three spheres of
Government; and
• the Electronic Communications Transactions (ECT) Act (2002). which sets the
framework for electronic transactions and the verification thereof.
1.3 Definition of broadband for South Africa
1.3.1 While Broadband is a widely used term, the precise speed at which a network
connection is deemed to be a Broadband service, varies greatly both locally and
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10 No. 33377 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. 13 JULY 2010
internationally. Even within the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) the
different sectors. in alignment with their functions, have different definitions for
Broadband. The Standardization Sector defines Broadband as a speed of 1.5 to 2
Mbps while the Development Sector defines Broadband to be 256 kbps.
1.3.2 Comparative research demonstrated that the definition of Broadband in different
countries, varies between 128 kbps and 10 Mbps.
1.3.3 South Africa will follow the guideline from the ITU Development Sector and as such
Broadband will be interpreted as an always available, multimedia capable
connection with a download speed of at least 256 kbps.
1.4 Vision
The vision of this policy is to ensure universal access to Broadband by 2019 by
ensuring that South Africans are able to access Broadband either individually, or as a
household, subscribe to a Broadband service, or are able to access a Broadband
service directly or indirectly at a private or public access point.
2 BROADBAND POLICY OBJECTIVE
The objective of this policy is:
To facilitate the provisioning of affordable, accessible, universal access to
Broadband infrastructure to citizens, business, communities and the three
spheres of Government, and to stimulate the usage ofBroadband services
in order to promote economic development and growth and act as an
enabler for further social benefits.
As part of the o~ective to facilitate the provisioning of affordable, accessible,
universal access to Broadband infrastructure, focus is also placed on the building of
the information society, increasing affordability and the increase of uptake and usage
of Broadband services.
2.1 Building the information society
2.1.1 In 2007 Government undertook a policy decision to take the lead in the formation of
a "people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented information society, where
everyone can create, access, utilise and share information and knowledge, enabling
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STAATSKOERANT, 13 JULIE 2010 No.33377 11
individuals. communities and people to realise their full potential in promoting
sustainable development and improving the quality of their life". This has informed
the country's vision 'To establish South Africa as an advanced information society in
which information and ICT tools are key drivers of economic and societal
development...
2.1.2 This vision can only be attained if the country has reliable. robust and secure
infrastructure that is available. accessible and affordable to all. Experience across the
world has shown that well-developed information and communication network
infrastructure as well as applications. adapted to national and local conditions. that is
easily accessible and affordable. can accelerate the social and economic progress of a
country, as well as the well-being of individuals and communities.
2.2 Increasing affordability
2.2.1 It is evident in the South African market that the provision of Broadband services in
certain areas is prohibitively costly. The Government will intervene to expand
networks into these marginal areas as contemplated under Chapter 14 of the
Electronic Communications Act. 36 of 2005. Various options for the construction.
operation and maintenance of networks in under-serviced areas will be developed by
USAASA (Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa) and implemented in
co-operation with other stakeholders in their locations. This will ensure that access to
Broadband services becomes affordable and available for citizens. businesses. civil
society and government.
2.3 Increasing uptake and usage
2.3.1 The development of content to increase the uptake and usage of Broadband is
especially important in the areas of education, health and e-government.
2.3.2 ICTs have to be incorporated as a developmental tool in order to effectively increase
uptake and usage, especially at household level. To achieve a knowledge based
economy households and businesses should continuously be exposed to the use and
benefits of ICTs and particularly Broadband services.
2.3.3 To increase uptake and usage government needs to develop its own local content
across all South African languages to ensure that government services are available
8
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12 No.33377 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 13 JULY 2010
to citizens electronically. This content will be used by citizens to access and interact
with Government and will further stimulate the demand for Broadband services.
2.3.4 Digital literacy is critical for the increase of uptake and usage of Broadband services.
It is acknowledged that there are other initiatives that focus on improving digital
literacy.
BENEFITS OF BROADBAND
Broadband is recognised as a strategic tool in the building of an information economy
and society. Extensive international studies have been performed on the benefits of
investing in Broadband infrastructure. In every such study Broadband has
demonstrated the ability to deliver substantial economic growth, increased
employment and vast societal benefits. The potential benefits will positively
contribute to the improvement of lives of many South African households by. for
example improving communication, access to services. employment and business
opportunities. The benefits of investment in Broadband infrastructure in South Africa
will not be limited by our national borders but will extend to the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) region as a contributor to the regional strategy in
relation to ICTs. Some of the benefits foreseen in South Africa are as follows:
• economic development and growth:
o stimulating growth of Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and
cooperatives;
o increasing employment;
o reducing the cost of communication; and
o improving marketability and encouraging investment.
• social benefits:
o improved quality of education;
o improved quality and access of health services;
o improved quality and access of government services; and
o reduced carbon emissions.
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STAATSKOERANT, 13 JULIE 2010 No.33377 13
3.1 Economic development and growth
Broadband creates an environment that stimulates economic activity and can
contribute to economic development and growth. Universal access to Broadband
services can lower the cost of telecommunications and attract business to provinces
and municipalities, thereby stimulating their economic environments and increasing
economic growth.
Therefore Broadband has an indirect impact on economic growth through improved
ease of communications and the distribution of products and services to a wider
market.
3.1.1
3.1.1.1
Stimulating growth of SMME's and cooperatives
SMMEs and cooperatives can gain a competitive advantage by using Broadband, by
reducing barriers to entry of markets through increased access to information as this
technology would expose them to a broader market where they can promote and sell
their products and services on the global scale. Broadband will also benefit
cooperatives and SMMEs by reducing their cost of association.
3.1.1.2 Broadband will enhance both backward and forward economic linkages. Forward
linkages will be enhanced through access to new domestic and international markets.
SMMEs will also benefit from enhanced backwards linkages; especially in the rural
context this will give them access to more suppliers and more competitive inputs thus
increasing their bargaining power with suppliers and the competitiveness of their
product.
3.1.2
3.1.2.1
I ncreasing employment
Broadband networks have been shown to have a direct impact on employment. It is
however the use of these networks towards growing economic activity and enhancing
social development, that unlocks the potential increase in employment.
3.1.3
3.1.3.1
Reducing the cost of communication
The cost of communication can be reduced by an increased rollout on infrastructure
and improved availability of Broadband services. Reducing the cost of communication
will be beneficial to citizens, business and government by reducing the cost of doing
business and by making a wider range of products and services available at
affordable prices.
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14 No.33377 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 13 JULY 2010
3.1.4 Improving marketability and encouraging investment
3.1.4.1 Provinces will be able to increase their marketability, both inside the country and
globally and attract investment by ensuring the availability and affordability of
Broadband services. This will have a positive impact on provincial economic growth
and will enable provinces to become more competitive. Broadband does not only
provide access to provincial and municipal governments, but it also allows their
businesses and citizens access to the rest of the world.
3.1.4.2 Access to Broadband creates opportunities to improve efficiency for both the private
and public sector and ensure that services are more readily and speedily available to
customers and communities.
3.1.4.3 Universal access to broadband will also contribute to reducing spatial inequalities in
South Africa which had developed out of a system that fostered lopsided economic
development through the unequal distribution and access to economic opportunities
and assets. The ability to communicate increases the marketability of especially rural
provinces and municipalities as investment destinations, making it more attractive for
businesses to directly invest into these areas. Broadband investment in rural areas
will act as a counter measure to the migration of persons to metropolitan areas,
through local development initiatives as a result of this investment.
3.2 Social benefits
3.2.1 Improved quality of education
3.2.1.1 Broadband can improve the quality of education by enabling the delivery of digital
content and iessons to aii learners, regardless of their iocation, over Broadband
networks. A further benefit is the improvement of communication between different
educational institutions at different levels of government.
3.2.1.2 Broadband access creates an opportunity for citizens to increase their knowledge
through research and collaborative team work. It also provides an opportunity for
citizens to become ICT literate, increasing their value in thejob market.
3.2.2 Improved quality of health services
3.2.2.1 The healthcare sector is one of government's priorities, and can be greatly improved
through the use of ICTs and Broadband. As an example improved communication
between health care centres can greatly improve health care.
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STAATSKOERANT, 13 JULIE 2010 No.33377 15
3.2.2.2 Broadband services can enable the use of a number of applications such as
telemedicine, remote diagnosis and the treatment and care of patients in rural areas.
3.2.2.3 Online inventory systems. enabling the electronic prescription and ordering of
medicine in health care institutions can significantly improve the access and efficiency
of current systems. Availability of electronic medical patient records will facilitate
uninterrupted and reliable treatment of patients.
3.2.3 Improved quality of government services
3.2.3.1 Government's ability to communicate with the citizens is central to service delivery.
Universal access to Broadband services can greatly enhance Government's capability
of communicating with its citizens. Government services need to be updated to
incorporate services that citizens could access online and use not only for information
purposes but also for transactional purposes. This would reduce the cost of
govemance and would enhance service delivery, CIS turnaround times could improve
significantly.
3.2.4 Reduced carbon emissions
3.2.4.1 Broadband also has the potential to indirectly reduce carbon emissions. The ITU-T is
focussing on the role leTs can fulfil in order to reduce green house gases. As an
example video conferencing has the potential to reduce travelling which supports the
reduction of green house gases.
4 KEY PRIORiTY AREAS
4.1 Access
Ensuring access to Broadband services is the first of the three essential key priority
areas considered in this policy. These areas are critical components for the realisation
of the potential benefits, as listed in section 3 of this policy, of increased Broadband
penetration in South Africa. This key priority area is specifically concerned with the
provision of infrastructure towards achieving the goal of universal access.
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16 NO.33377 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 13 JULY 2010
4.1.1 Universal access to broadband
4.1.1.1 It is the intention of the policy to ensure that people in South Africa have universal
access to Broadband services. Success will be measured based on the targets set in
section 5.2.2 of this document, specifically referring to individuals.
4.1.1.2 To achieve universal access to Broadband networks there are three components that
should be addressed: access to international networks. national backbone networks
and local networks. All three these components are required to facilitate universal
access. While the policy does not specifically distinguish between the three, they will
be considered individually during the implementation phase. Depending on the
challenges experienced with regards to achieving universal access to Broadband,
government will through policies intervene in any of the three components
mentioned above to address the universal access to Broadband.
4.1.2 Access for needy persons
4.1.2.1 Access to Broadband networks can create many opportunities for social development
and access to job-opportunities for needy persons. Citizens using Broadband services
can communicate and work from anywhere, providing means to needy persons to
contribute their skills and time towards achieving their own goals and thereby
benefiting from social upliftment and economic growth. Needy persons will be
assisted to access Broadband services through appropriate means, such as the
provision of subsidies from the Universal Service and Access Fund (USAF), as
contemplated in section 88 the Electronic Communications Act, 36 of 2005.
4.1.3 Access for legal personae
4.1.3.1 All public and private institutions, as well as civil society. must have access to
Broadband services. This will ensure demand stimulation and uptake of ICTs by
Government departments especially in education and health. Content from
departments will be used for both information purposes as well as e-government
service delivery to citizens. This will ensure that education and health facilities have
access to Broadband.
4.1.4 Spectrum for broadband
4.1.4.1 This Policy recognises that the radio frequency spectrum is a scarce national resource
and that the allocation shall be guided by the developmental objectives in the public
interest.
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STAATSKOE RANT, 13 JULIE 2010 No.33377 17
4.2 Affordability
Increasing competition, in both electronic communications network services (ECNS)
infrastructure and electronic communications services (ECS), will improve the
affordability of Broadband to government. business and citizens,
4.2.1
4.2.1.1
Creating an enabling environment for broadband growth
Government will continue to promote competition in the market as contemplated
under the Electronic Communications Act. 36 of 2005. In areas that are not
economically viable, government witl intervene to increase the availability of
infrastructure and services subject to section 5.1 of this document. The different
categories of competition are listed below and will apply as relevant to the particular
situation in the market.
4.2.2
4.2.2.1
Electronic communications network services (ECNS) - infrastructure based
competition
ECNS infrastructure based competition exists between operators of ECNS licensees
where each compete based on providing its own ECNS infrastructure.
4.2.2.2 An increase in infrastructure results in improved access and availability of networks,
providing choice to the user and facilitating the reduction of the cost to
communicate.
4.2.3
4.2.3.1
Electronic communications services (ECS) - services based competition
ECS based competition exists between operators of ECS licensees where each
compete based on the electronic communications services provided.
4.2.3.2 More services results in more choice, reducing electronic communications costs for
users.
4.2.4
4.2.4.1
Physical infrastructure sharing
World trends reveal that the sharing of infrastructure is a powerful mechanism for
cost reduction, as this reduces the cost base of the infrastructure. The benefit of
following such a model is that citizens gain access to Broadband at lower prices than
would have been the case if operators each had to construct their own physical
infrastructure.
4.2.4.2 Physical infrastructure, such as masts, buildings, roads and power supply, constitute
a significant portion of the cost of establishing a network.
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18 NO.33377 GOVERNMEt\lT GAZETTE. 13 JULY 2010
4.2.4.3 Physical infrastructure can be shared between different operators, reducing both cost
and environmental impact.
4.3 Usage
Awareness of the benefits of Broadband services and confidence
thereof. is essential to the uptake and usage of Broadband.
in the security
4.3.1
4.3.1.1
Uptake and usage
The three spheres of government must seek to take the lead in increasing the uptake
and usage of Broadband and promotion thereof in both urban and rural areas as a
key priority.
4.3.1.2 Government needs to adopt ICTs in its everyday business practices and also develop
interactive online capabilities.
4.3.1.3 This would enable citizens to transact with government electronically and thus
enhance service delivery. Government also needs to promote awareness of ICTs and
the benefits thereof as well as ensure departments are connected to ensure
communication between them.
4.3.1.4 Relevant content development needs to be promoted in order to
stimulate uptake and usage for both current and new broadband users.
support and
4.3.1.5 Digital literacy amongst citizens is vital to the uptake and usage of broadband.
4.3.2
4.3.2.1
Security
I ncreased and continual commitment to improve the security of Broadband
must be made by all three spheres of Government and the private sector.
users
4.3.2.2 Government should ensure that the necessary regulatory framework for securing
networks and users is developed.
4.3.3
4.3.3.1
Awareness
The three spheres of Government should actively and continuously increase public
awareness of Broadband in partnership with other stakeholders. Focus should be on
the content, applications, communications ability and opportunities that Broadband
can offer to all citizens in both urban and rural areas. This will support the uptake
and usage of Broadband.
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STAATSKOERAJ\lT, 13 JULIE 2010 NO.33377 19
5 ROLE CLARIFICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION
5.1 Roles
It is necessary to distinguish between the roles of the three spheres of Government.
namely National. Provincial and Local Government. The policy further articulates the
roles of the SOEs, and the private sector.
5.1.1 National Government
5.1.1.1 Involvement by National Government will be focused on the following goals:
• investment in the provisioning of electronic communication network services
towards increasing access to and improving affordability of Broadband services;
• provisioning of an infrastructure platform for facilitating public access points
towards increasing access to Broadband services,:
• connecting government and its entities through Broadband services at all levels
for enabling e-government services, towards increasing uptake and usage of
Broadband services;
• investing in the development of local content and Broadband awareness to
support uptake and usage of Broadband services;
• promote access to SMEs, co-operatives, rural areas and private households, and
bridge the digital divide including through community and workplace access
facilities; and
• promote and advance economic development goals through infrastructure build
as well as in broadband provision by the public and private sectors. These goals
include opportunities to grow employment and identify local industrial
opportunities. rural development and strengthening the knowledge based
economy.
5.1.1.2 National Government will by means of policy, direct the Authority to create an
enabling regulatory environment for the private and public sector to develop
infrastructure, services and applications towards the increase of access to and
affordability of Broadband services.
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20 No.33377 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 13 JULY 2010
5.1.1.3 The Department of Communications, as the custodian of ICTs in South Africa, will be
ultimately responsible for the implementation of the policy as a whole.
5.1.2 Provincial Government
5.1.2.1 This policy acknowledges the different ICT initiatives in provincia! government as It'Jell
as the unique requirements of the different provinces. The role of the provincial
government is:
• to implement and align existing policies with the national Broadband POlicy;
• defining the requirement for Broadband services in the province to enable the
provisioning of access;
• to develop and align existing broadband strategies in line with the national
Broadband Policy;
• ensuring the provision of electronic communication network services in the
province by requesting the required services from the relevant SOEs;
• connecting the provincial government and its entities with Broadband services
and enabling the distribution of e-government services to drive the demand for
Broadband and promote uptake and usage; and
• investing in the development of local content and Broadband awareness to
support uptake and usage of Broadband services.
5.1.3 local Government
5.i.3.i This poiicy acknowledges the different jeT initiatives in iocal government as well as
the unique requirements of the different municipalities. The role of local government
is:
• to implement and align existing policies with the national Broadband Policy;
• defining the requirement for Broadband services in the municipalities to enable
the provisioning of infrastructure;
• to develop and align existing broadband strategies in line with the national and
provincial Broadband Policies;
• ensuring the provision of electronic communication network services in
cooperation with the provincial and national government;
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STAATSKOERANT, 13 JULIE 2010 No.33377 21
• connecting the local government and its entities with Broadband services and
enabling the distribution of e-government services to drive the demand for
Broadband and promote uptake and usage; and
• investing in the development of loca! content
support uptake and usage of Broadband services.
and Broadband awareness to
5.1.4
5.1.4.1
State owned enterprises
Government will use SOEs such as Sentech
electronic communications networks services.
and Infraco for the provisioning of
5.1.4.2 The Authority and all SOEs and Agencies should fulfil their various mandates as
stipulated in the EC Act. The Authority (lCASA) will contribute by implementing the
policy through regulation. The Agency (USAASA) will consider the targets set in the
Broadband policy when allocating funding to various projects.
5.1.4.3 All SOEs in the ICT sector will also be utilised to achieve Governments developmental
agenda and to contribute in bridging the digital divide.
5.1.5
5.1.5.1
Private sector
The role of the private sector, as included here, does not provide an exhaustive list of
functions, but merely seeks to establish the general concept.
5.1.5.2 The private sector will provide both wholesale and retail ECNS and ECS within the
regulatory environment / framework as determined by the Authority.
5.1.5.3 The private sector will also be utilised to achieve Government's developmental
agenda and to contribute towards bridging the digital divide through their license
obligations.
5.1.5.4 The private sector will also, in partnership with
implementation of specific developmental initiatives.
Government facilitate the
5.2 Implementation
5.2.1
5.2.1.1
Broadband I nter-Governmental Implementation Committee
A Broadband Inter-Governmental Implementation Committee, incorporating
spheres of Government, will be established.
all
5.2.1.2 The terms of reference of the Broadband implementation committee will include:
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22 No. 33377 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 13 JULY 2010
• developing an implementation plan that supports the national Broadband Policy
(the implementation will include skills development, research and development);
• the overall coordination of Broadband implementation at national, provincial and
local government levels;
• facilitating the monitoring and measurement of Broadband penetration in South
Africa and be responsible for the reporting thereof;
• identifying mechanisms to realise the potential benefits of Broadband; and
• preventing duplication of investment by advising National Treasury on
government investment in Broadband electronic communication infrastructure on
national, provincial and local government levels.
5.2.1.3 The Committee will report to the Minister of Communications, who shall:
• finalise and add to the terms of reference;
• facilitate the realisation of all Broadband initiatives;
• address all issues of national and provincial importance as related to Broadband;
and
• be the custodian of all issues on Broadband and related matters.
5.2.2 Monitoring and evaluation
The Broadband Inter-Governmental Committee in facilitating the implementation of the
Broadband policy. through an implementation plan, will ensure that short and long term targets
are achieved.
5.2.2.1 Short term targets
5.2.2.1.1 The Broadband Inter-Governmental Implementation Committee will be tasked to
conduct a survey on the current status of Broadband in South Africa as well as the
relevant market players in the industry.
5.2.2.1.2 Broadband penetration as well as ECN connectivity to municipalities will be used as
the measure to determine the success of this policy. To ensure the measurability of
penetration in terms of individuals this goal will be set per household, as this is the
unit currently in use by Statistics South Africa.
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STAATSKOERANT, 13 JULIE 2010 No.33377 23
5.2.2.1.3 The Broadband Policy shall be reviewed from time to time as determined by the
Minister of Communications.
5.2.2.2 Long term targets
5.2.2.2.1 I n terms of access penetration, South Africans shall have universal access to
Broadband services by 2019. Universal access meaning, for example, that there will
be a public ICT access point within a two kilometre radius of any person in a sparsely
populated area.
5.2.2.2.2 In terms of service penetration, household Broadband penetration should be at least
15% by 2019.
5.2.2.2.3 ECN connectivity should be available to all municipal areas by 2019.
6 CONCLUSION
6.1 Government's objectives include social upliftment and economic growth. One of the
methods to achieve these goals is to increase the access to and availability of
Broadband services. Broadband services open the global village to South Africa and
its citizens by providing an electronic communications highway and enabling its
people to communicate and transact anywhere, anytime in both urban and rural
areas. South Africa's economy is in a transition phase like many other developing
economies around the world, and investment into Broadband is crucial for South
Africa to progress into a knowledge based economy. Broadband is a key catalyst to
accelerate the country's developmental agenda as well as to achieve the Millennium
Development Goals.
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24 No.33377 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 13 JULY 2010
7 DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS
Authority EC Act EeN ECNS ECS ECT GOP ICASA ICT IGRF ITU Kbps Mbps Multimedia Needy persons OECD SADC SivUviE SOE
Universal access
Universal service
USAF WSIS
Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) Electronic Communications Act Electronic Communications f'Jetv'Jork Electronic Communications Network Services Electronic Communications Services Electronic Communications Transactions Gross Domestic Product Independent Communications Authority Information and Communication Technologies Inter Governmental Relations Framework International Telecommunications Union kilo bits per second Mega bits per second Data, voice and audio visual As determined in terms of the EC Act Organisation for Economic Development South African Development Community Smail, ivledium and Micro Enterprise State Owned Enterprise
As determined in terms of the EC Act (means universal access to electronic communications network services, electronic communications services and broadcasting services as determined from time to time in terms of chapter 14)
As determined in terms of the EC Act (means the universal provision of electronic communications services and broadcasting services as determined from time to time in terms of chapter 14)
Universal Service and Access Fund World Summit on I nformation Society
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33377-1
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